Thousands of newcomers in Manitoba facing the expiration of their federal work permits have received a reprieve, as announced by Manitoba’s labour and immigration minister on Tuesday. Malaya Marcelino revealed that over 6,700 individuals will now be allowed to remain in the province for an additional two years, thanks to the approval of the province’s request by federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
The decision was warmly welcomed by Marcelino, who described it as “great news” for both the affected workers and their families, as well as for employers throughout Manitoba who found themselves in dire circumstances due to the impending permit expirations.
The extension of these post-graduate work permits comes in response to Ottawa’s prior announcement in December discontinuing the provision of 18-month extensions, originally introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision had prompted protests from temporary foreign workers, compounded by changes in Manitoba’s provincial nominee program selection process, which began prioritizing newcomers with family connections in the province.
In a social media post, Minister Miller outlined the federal government’s readiness to offer open work permits to eligible newcomers whose permits are expiring in 2024 and who are employed in Manitoba and eligible under Manitoba’s nominee program. This move is expected to pave the way for these foreign nationals to eventually attain permanent residency through the provincial nominee program within the two-year extension period.
Marcelino expressed optimism that the extension will facilitate the acceptance of nearly all applicants into Manitoba’s nominee program, emphasizing the province’s need for immigration and its commitment to ensuring the inclusion of these individuals in the nomination process.
For Tianyu Xie, whose work permit is due to expire soon, the news brings a sense of stability and renewed hope for reuniting with his family in Manitoba. Similarly, Yatin Joshi, Chair of the International Students and Skilled Workers Union in Manitoba, hailed the announcement as a relief for many who were facing uncertainty.
The announcement follows previous controversy surrounding Marcelino, who was accused of threatening individuals protesting changes to Manitoba’s provincial nominee program. Marcelino refuted these allegations, asserting that the province’s policy changes aimed to retain newcomers, particularly those with family ties to Manitoba.
Looking ahead, Marcelino expressed confidence that the affected permit holders will indeed choose to remain in Manitoba, citing their assurances to her. While specific plans to ensure their retention were not disclosed, Marcelino conveyed optimism regarding the impact of the extension on the province’s future.